The Mayor of Goderich says extended patios should be a permanent fixture, following an unprecedented summer in Canada’s Prettiest Town.
Due to indoor dining regulations surrounding COVID-19, Goderich town council approved restaurants to create or extend outdoor patios this summer, without a licensing fee.
While there was no discussion surrounding the continued use of extended outdoor patios, Mayor John Grace says, “The patios need to stay for 2021 and beyond.”
Grace says the endgame was to keep the community open and inviting, which he feels the town achieved.
During the summer, Goderich by-law officials coordinated patrols of the town’s shoreline with Huron County OPP and town staff, to ensure social distancing was in place while the beach remained open.
Grace tells Country 104.9 News he believes beach visitors spent longer in the community because of the outdoor patios.